approximately an hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximately an hour" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when estimating a duration of time that is close to one hour but not exact. Example: "The meeting will last approximately an hour, so please plan accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This resulted in a fire on another gasholder approximately an hour later.

Wikipedia

On an average, one household survey took approximately an hour.

BMJ Open

The object was briefly sighted approximately an hour later near the back gate.

The New York Times

Approximately an hour later, they drove him to the hospital and threw him on the ground at the entrance of the Emergency Room.

Huffington Post

In most cases the session took approximately an hour.

Brain Topography

My cesarean lasted approximately an hour.

The New Yorker

But she spends approximately an hour each day reading blogs.

The New Yorker

A typical Pilates "mat class" lasted for approximately an hour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The tour costs $90 a person, and will last approximately an hour.

The New York Times - Travel

The panel lasted approximately an hour and concluded she was unfit to continue.

The Guardian

After approximately an hour, the meeting broke up, with two of the spies leaving the Oval Office and the third remaining behind.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "approximately an hour" with context to describe how a specific time span is distributed within a task or setting. For example, "She spends approximately an hour each day reading blogs."

Common error

Avoid using "approximately an hour" when a more precise time frame is available or necessary. Overusing approximations can reduce the credibility of your communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximately an hour" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause by indicating duration. It specifies an estimated length of time. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

59%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0.01%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "approximately an hour" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to estimate a time duration. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across a multitude of contexts. It is particularly common in News & Media and Scientific writing and is suitable for neutral registers. Alternatives include "about an hour" or "around an hour", depending on the desired level of formality. When using this phrase, ensure that an approximation is appropriate and that greater precision isn't required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

around one hour

Simplifies the phrase while retaining the approximate timeframe.

almost an hour

Indicates that the time is slightly less than a full hour.

close to an hour

Emphasizes that the duration is near the one-hour mark.

nearly an hour

Similar to "almost an hour", suggesting the duration is just shy of a full hour.

an hour or so

Uses a common expression to indicate an approximate duration.

about sixty minutes

Replaces "approximately" with a more precise timeframe, while maintaining an estimation.

roughly sixty minutes

Substitutes "approximately" with "roughly", implying a degree of estimation.

just under an hour

Highlights that the timeframe is a bit shorter than a complete hour.

in the neighborhood of an hour

Uses a more colloquial expression for a similar duration.

in the vicinity of an hour

A more formal alternative, indicating an approximate duration.

FAQs

How can I use "approximately an hour" in a sentence?

You can use "approximately an hour" to estimate the duration of an event or activity, like "The meeting will last "approximately an hour"" or "The commute takes "approximately an hour" depending on traffic conditions."

What are some alternatives to "approximately an hour"?

Alternatives include "about an hour", "around an hour", or "roughly an hour". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "approximately an hour" or "about an hour"?

Both phrases are acceptable and convey a similar meaning. "Approximately an hour" might sound slightly more formal than "about an hour", but the difference is minimal.

Can I use "approximately an hour and a half"?

Yes, you can extend the phrase to include fractions of an hour, such as "approximately an hour and a half" or "approximately two hours", to provide a longer estimated timeframe.